Road-grading machine.



Patented Mar. l3, I900.

E. B. KIRKENDALL. ROAD GRADING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet .(No Model.)

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No. 645,363. Patented Mar. I3, I900 E. B--. KIRKENDALL.

ROAD GRADING MACHINE.

(Appliation filed M2114, 1899.)

2 Sheets$heet 2 'No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

ROAD-GRADING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION 'forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,363, dated March 13, 1900. Application filed May 4, 1899- Serial No; 715,591. (No modelh T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LELIJAH B. KIRKENDALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leando, in the county of Van Buren and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Road-Grading Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in road-grading machines, in which I employ a scraper-blade adapted to be adjusted to assume different angles to the line of draft or to occupy Various pitches to the horizontal plane of the machine-frame.

A further object is to provide means for carrying the frame and regulating the depth of penetration of the scraper-blade, and said devices may also be adjusted at angles to the line of draft to compensate for side draft on the machine and may also support the scraperblade in an elevated position for facilitating turning the machine.

A further object is to provide a draft appliance having means adapted to sustain the weight of the tongue and said draft appliance so connected to the machine-frame as to be easily detached and reversed. The tonguecarrying means of the draft appliance assists the carrying means for the machine-frame in maintaining the scraper-blade in its elevated position and insures proper turning of the grader.

With these ends in View the invention consists in the novel combination of mechanisms and in the construction and arrangement of devices, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a road-grading machine'constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on a plane at one side of the draft appliance and on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. of the scraper-blade removed from the machine. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the devices for supporting and adjusting one of the side carrying-wheels. Fig. 6 is a crosssectional view through the ratchet-adjusting devices particularly shown by Fig. 5.

The same numerals of reference are used to denote like and corresponding partsin each of the several figures of the drawings.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view The scraper-supporting frame of my im' proved machine consists of the diverging bars or rails 10, which are firmly joined together at their meeting rear ends, a front rail 11, and two bars 12 13, which are fastened securely to the'upper and lower sides of the bars 10, one in rear of the other, as clearly shown by Fig. 3. The upper bar 12 is fastened to the diverging bars 10 at or near the middle of the frame, while the lower bar 13 is fastened to said bars 10 directly in front of the meeting ends thereof. The several transverse bars 11 12 13 serve to stay the diverging bars against collapsing, and the described construction and arrangement of the several bars produce a frame adapted to withstand the strain of the draft and the resistance encountered by the scraper-blade.

I employ a tongue which is disposed in the median line of the frame, and said tongue passes below the rails 11 12 and has its rear extremity fitted upon the rear rail 13. A keeper 14 is secured firmly to the lower side of the bar 12, and in this'keeper is fitted the tongue 15, whereby the keeper and the bar 13 support the tongue against displacement in a downward direction, while the bars 11 12 hold the tongue against movement in an upward direction. The front end of the tongue extends in advance of the frame and is provided with a clevis 16 for the attachment of the draft appliance, and at a point intermediate of its length this tongue is furnished with a transverse clip 17, which is adapted to receive the stay-chain 18. The stay-chain is arranged transversely of the tongue at the front end of the machine-frame, and at its ends said chain is equipped with hoons or eyes adapted to loosely engage with the draft;

eyes 19, which are fastened to the front ends 'of the diverging frame-bars 10, whereby the draft on the tongue 15 is distributed by the stay-chain to the sides of the machine-frame. Said stay-chain is connected with the drafttongue by the clip 17 and a pin or bolt 20, which passes through the tongue, the clip, and a link of the chain.

The draft appliance, as herein described, is equipped with means for sustainingthe Weight of the tongue and the doubletree independently of the machine-frame, and this tonguesustaining means is adapted for vertical adjustment in a manner to elevate the front part of the machine-frame so that the suspoint intermediate its length, and said spindle passes loosely through a vertical guidesleeve 26,, which is fastened on the tongue.

I To the lower end of the spindle 23 is swiveled a caster-frame 24, which supports an axle on which is loosely mounted a caster-wheel 25, having a broad smooth periphery. The lever 21 is equipped with a latch 27, which is adapted to engage with a ratchet stand or segment 28, that is fastened to the tongue 15, and said latch and segment constitute fastening devices by which the lever, the spindle, and the caster-wheel may be held at any desired point of adjustment. The lever may be adjusted for the caster-Wheel to ride on the ground and assist in sustaining the front end of the machine-frame, thus easing the draft on the machine; but this lever may be depressed and locked to make the casterwheel and spindle sustain the front part of the frame.

The scraper-blade 30 of my invention consists of one or more pieces of stout sheet metal having curved arms 31 made fast or integral therewith. The scraper-blade is of a length equal to the width of the machine-frame, or substantially so, and said blade is arranged transversely to said frame at a point intermediate the length thereof. The arms 31 extend rearwardly from the upper part of the scraper-blade, and, as shown by Fig. 4, said arms are curved throughout their length. The arms are furthermore provided with longitudinal slots 32, and said slotted arms may be applied against the under side of the diverging frame-bars 10. Vertical bolts 33 pass through the slotted arms and the frame-bars 10 for the purpose of firmly fastening the scraper to the frame; but these bolts may be loosened tos a nit the scraper-blade to be ad- T511}??? in a vertical plane for changing the non of the scraper-blade to the horizontal plane of the machine-frame; but said scraperblade may be arranged in a position at right angles or obliquely to the lineof draft on the machine. By employing the curved arms 31 and bolting said arms to the frame the blade 30 may be shifted from a vertical to an inclined position relatively to the horizontal plane of the frame, thus changing the pitch of the scraper-blade, and the slots in the curved arms 31 are made of such width or the arms may be so attached to the scraperblade as to permit said blade to be moved to different angular positions relative to the axis of the drafttoiigue 15. Again, the di-- verging frame-bars 10 may be provided with slots which will insure the desired adjustment of the scraper-blade to positions oblique or at right angles to the line of draft.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the scraper-blade is fastened at its upper edge to the frame, and in order to strengthen said scraper against the strain and resistance encountered thereby in removing the earth I employ the stay-links 34. The scraper is provided on its rear side and near the lower edge with ears 36, to which are pivoted the forward lower ends of the stay-links 34, and the rear free ends of these links have notches 37 provided therein for engagement with keepers 38. Said keepers are fastened to the frame-bar 13 in positions for the notched ends of the stay-links to fit therein, and these links may be adjusted in the keepers according to the change in the position of the scraper-blade. The stay-links serve to brace the scraper-blade at the lower edge thereof, and said links may also be adjusted in the keepers in conformity to the adjustable attachment of the scraper-blade to the frame.

The side bars 10 of the carrying-frame are provided with wheeled supporting devices, and these devices include vertical spindles 39 40,which are slidably fitted in vertical bearing-sleeves 4l,which are fastened securely to the frame-bars 10 at points adjacent to the attachment of the scraper-blade 30 to the machine-frame. Each vertical spindle 39 or 40 has a caster-foot 42 formed as an integral part thereof or made fast therewith, and in this foot is journaled a caster-wheel 43, having a wide tread-surface, said caster-wheel provided at its ends with angular flanges 43. The caster-wheel is mounted idly on a horizontal axle 44, which is supported in the foot 42 of 'the spindle, and by the rigid union of the foot with the spindle the caster-wheel is adapted to partake of the axial adjustment of the spindle in the bearing-sleeve of the frame. The spindle is equipped with looking devices, which serve to hold said spindle and the caster-wheel at any desired point of IIO adjustment, and thus the caster-wheel may be disposed for its axle 44 to lie obliquely to the line of draft in order to compensate for side draft on the machine-frame when the scraper is employed to throw or deflect the dirt from the road into a ridge at the middle thereof. The side spindles and the casterwheels carried thereby are also capable of adjustment in a vertical plane for regulating the penetration or depth of cutof the scraperblade, and the devices by which the axial adjustment may be given to the spindles and vertical adjustment also imparted to the caster-wheels are combined or associated for conjoint and independent operation. The upper part of each spindle 39 or 40 is formed with a ratchet 45, which is embraced by a sleeve or collar 46, and in this sleeve is mounted a reversible spring-controlled dog 47, which normally engages with the ratchet 45 and which may be retracted to permit the ratchet and spindle to turn in the sleeve or collar 46 to change the relation of the caster-wheel to the draft appliance of the frame. The vertical adjustment is given to the spindle and caster by alever 48, which is disposed in a horizontal position above and longitudinally of one of the frame-bars 10, and the sleeve or collar 46 of the ratchet-locking device is provided with pins or studs 49, that are mounted loosely in the lever 48, thus making the sleeve or collar and the ratchet-locking device adjustable with the lever. This lever is peculiarly fashioned for the application of the spindle-locking device thereto, and, as represented by the drawings, each lever 48 consists of two members 48 48 which are joined firmly together bya pair of plates 48. These plates are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the sleeve or collar of the ratchet-locking device, and the ends of the plates overlap the lever members and are secured firmly thereto in any suitable way, whereby the sleeve or collar may be readily assembled in operative relation to and connected by the pins or studs 49 with the plates of the lever, and said plates may then be firmly fastened to the members 48 48 of said lever. The front end of each lever 48 is fulcrumed to a short post 50, which is fixed to one frame-bar 10, near'the front end thereof, and on said frame-bar is fastened a ratchet-stand 51, with which is adapted to engage a latch 52, that serves to hold the lever at the desired point of adjustment.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the levers may be operated independently to raise or lower the spindles 39 40 and the bearing-wheels journaled therein, thereby regulating the depth of cut of the scraper-blade, and said levers and the associated parts may be held locked in their adjusted positions by the latches which engage with the ratchet-stands. The spring-dog 47 may be retracted from engagement with the ratchet 45 on each wheel-bearing spindle, and the spindle may thus be turned axially in the sleeve or collar 46 to make the carrying-wheel occupy positions in line with or obliquely to the draft-tongue. The oblique disposition of the carrying-wheels to the draft-tongue compensates forside draft on the machine-frame when the scraper is adapted for service in throwing the dirt into a ridge at one side of the road; but for ordinary road-scraping purposes the bearing-wheels should be adjusted to travel in a path parallel to the line of draft on the tongue 15. The broad tread-surfaces of the bearing-wheels prevent sinking into the ground, particularly if the soil is soft, and the angular disposition of the flanges on said bearing-wheels obviates slipping thereof on the surface of the road.

At the rear end of the frame, in a position between the side spindles and in line with the draft-tongue, is arranged a vertical spindle 53, having a suitable bearingin the machineframe practically at the point where the side bars are joined together, and the upper part of this spindle is provided with a ratchet 54, which is embraced by a fixed sleeve 55. Said sleeve supports a reversible spring-dog 56, that is normally engaged with the ratchet 54 of the spindle to hold the latter in its different adjustable positions with relation to the draft-tongue. This rear spindle has an integral or rigid foot 53, that supports a bearing-wheel 53", and said spindle and its bearing-wheel may be adjusted in positions cor- 8o responding to the bearing-wheels of the spindles 39 40. The rear spindle 53 may be equipped with a lever for adjusting the same vertically in the manner shown and described in connection with the spindles 39 40; but I have not considered it necessary to describe the lever connections to said spindle 53, be: cause the same will be obvious to any one skilled in the art. e

To relieve the strain on the side spindles 39 40, I employ a stay plate or link 57 for each spindle. This stay-plate has an eye 58 at its front end to loosely embrace the spindle and permit the latter to be adjusted axially or vertically, as hereinbefore described, and 5 one end of the stay plate or link is attached to the machine-frame by a bolt, as at 59.

It will be noted that the draft-tongue is fitted at its rear end removably in the machine -frame and that .said tongue is connected by the stay-chain to the side bars of the frame, said stay-chain having detachable connection with the draft-eyes 19. The draft appliance may be detached from the machine by removing the pin 20, which connects the tongue to the stay-chain, and the draft-tongue may then be reversed, the wheels of the spin: dles being set free. If desired, a draft-pole, similar to devices used in connection with ordinary road-vehicles, may be hitched to the draft-tongue if the grader is used on hilly ground, such draft-pole being especially useful in holding back the machine when going downhill.

The bearing-wheels used in my machine should be of strong construction and skeletonized, and in practice I prefer to make said wheels of steel and of open construction to minimize the tendencyof the parts to become clogged by accumulations of earth.

Previous to turning the machine the spindles on the draft-tongue and on the sides of the machine-frame should be depressed in order to lower the bearing-wheels sufficiently to raise the frame and scraper clear from the ground, said levers being locked fast in their adjusted positions. It is not necessary to make the spindle and caster of the drafttongue as heavy as the side spindles and bearing-wheels of the frame. The function of the spindle and bearing-Wheel of the tongue is to support the weight of said tongue and tion.

9f the scraper-blade with relation to the plane 7 of the frame, substantially as described.

prevent the scraper-blade from running into the ground when the machine travels over ditches.

It is of course understood that the machineframe is to be equipped With a suitable seat for the accommodation of the driver, and an attendant should be stationed at the rear end of the machine for manipulating the levers. For ordinary work in smoothing the road one man with a team of two horses can operate the grader, but for moving the dirt to the center of the road and for heavy grading work two men and four horses should be provided for performing the necessary work.

' My machine operates efficiently in scraping the dirt toward the center of the road to leave the road-bed in a good smooth condition.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sac-- rificing any of the advantages of this inven- Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, of a scraper-blade free from pivotal connection with the frame, curved slotted arms secured firmly to the blade to project above the upper edge thereof and applied against said frame, and clamping-bolts to fasten the slotted arms to said frame and con n'ect the blade firmly thereto, said arms being adjustable on the frame to vary the pitch 2. In a road-grader, the combination of a frame, a scraper-blade fastened thereto for adjustment in a direction to vary the pitch of said blade, the keepers fixed to the frame and depending therefrom, and stay-links pivoted to said blade and having the notched free ends, said notched ends of the stay-links fitted slidably in the keepers and normally engaging, by gravity, therewith to hold the links against endwise movement, substantially as described.

3. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, and a scraper-blade carried thereby, of a tongue-keeper secured to the frame and having a horizontal opening, a draft-tongue fitted in said keeper and removable therefrom and from the frame by an eudwise movement, draft-eyes secured to the front part of the frame at the sides thereof, a loop fixed to the draft-tongue, a draft-chain connected to said draft-eyes and passing through the loop of the draft-tongue, and a co upling-bolt passing through the tongue and the loop and engaging with a link of the chain, substantially as described.

4. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame and a scraper-blade mounted thereon,

v of a draft-tongue connected to said frame, a

stay-chain attached to the tongue and the frame and affording a flexible connection between the tongue and the frame to permit adjustment of the tongue in a vertical direction, a vertical spindle slidably mounted in the tongue and having a bearing-wheel at its lower end, and a lever fulcrumed on the frame and connected with the spindle for adjusting the latter vertically, substantially as described.

5. In a road-grader, the combination with a f rame,a scraper-blade, and a draft appliance,of vertical spindles connected to said frame and carrying bearing-wheels, means for holding the spindles in positions for the bearingwheels to lie obliquely to the line of draft,

and means for adjusting the spindles and" bearing-wheels vertically, substantially as described.

6. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, a scraper thereon, and a draft appliance, of bearing-wheels connected with said frame for adjustment on vertical axes to lie obliquely to the line of draft, and means for locking the said bearing-wheels in their adj usted positions, substantially as described.

7. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, a scraper, and a draft appliance, of spindles connected with said frame and provided with ratchet devices, a bearing-wheel mounted on each spindle for adjustment therewith, and a sleeve supported in operative relation to the ratchet of the spindle and carrying a locking-pawl for holding the spindle in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

8. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, a scraper thereon, and a draft appliance, of vertical spindles fitted to the frame and provided with bearing-wheels, a lever fulcrumed on the frame adjacent to each spindle, a sleeve connected to said lever and embracing a ratchet on the spindle, and a locking device supported by the sleeve and engaging with the ratchet, substantially as described.

9. In a road-grader, the combination with a frame, a scraper thereon, and a draft appliance, of vertical spindles connected to the sides of the frame and adjustable axially and vertically thereon, and another spindle supported by the frame in line with the draft appliance and in rear of the first-named spindles, each spindle having a bearing-wheel at its lower end, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto alfixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ELIJAH B. KIRKENDALL. lVitnesses:

PETER E. WALKER', S. E. IRISH. 

